Watch: Debutant Jai Moondra dismisses Sanju Samson with his very first ball — IRE vs IND 1st T20I

The emotions remain at the highest level for any player on debut, as it could go either way. But it was only about celebration and joy for the Rajasthan-born left-arm pacer for Ireland, Jai Moondra, who made his debut against India during the first T20I of the two-match series in Belfast with the wicket of Sanju Samson. 

The home side didn’t make a great start with the bat, after being put into bat first by the Indian captain, Shreyas Iyer, who won the toss, as they continued to lose wickets from one end before their captain, Lorcan Tucker, took them out of crisis.

Moondra's stunning start: New cap removes Sanju Samson on debut delivery in Belfast

In defense of the 182  runs against the T20 World Cup 2026 champions, Ireland needed to make a good start with the ball, as Tucker threw the ball to Moondra on the very second over of the innings. The left-arm seamer was under the pump even before his first ball, as his team-mate, Matthew Humphrey, conceded 16 runs in the first over.

Watch Jai Moondra dismissing Sanju Samson here- 

But Moondra was on a mission as he dismissed Sanju Samson on the very first delivery of his career. He bowled a 139kph length delivery in the channel outside the off stump. It was going away with the angle from the right-handed batter, who tried to force it into the off side.

See Also: Who is Jai Moondra? The Rajasthan-born pacer who just debuted for Ireland in T20Is vs India

However, he skewed a thick inside-edge back onto the stumps and went back for five runs off four balls. Jai joined Humprey to become only the second bowler for Ireland to pick a wicket off the first ball of a T20I career.  

Ireland crawl to 182/9 as India's bowlers strike early before hosts recover late

Ireland went off to a poor start, losing three wickets for just 30 runs on the board in 3.4 overs before their captain and wicket-keeper batter played a decent knock of 50 runs off 36 balls at a strike rate of 138.89, thanks to five boundaries and two sixes.

But the biggest contribution and firepower came from Gareth Delany, who clubbed 49 runs off just 32 balls, shouldering on three boundaries and three sixes as Ireland ended with 182/9 in their allotted 20 overs.

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India kept losing wickets from one end while Abhishek Sharma enjoyed the conditions with a fine knock of 50 runs off just 20 balls at a strike rate of 250, thanks to seven boundaries and two sixes to take India to 90/4 in 10.1 overs.

Fans erupt on social media over Moondra's fairytale first ball

The fans have erupted on social media over the fairytale first ball of Jai Moondra in dismissing Sanju Samson-

Follow live scorecard of Ireland vs India 1st T20I in Belfast-

Ireland 182/9 (Lorcan Tucker 50, Gareth Delany 49, Harshit Rana 3/24) vs India 121/6 (Abhishek Sharma 50, Matthew Hollard 3/28)